Questions and Answers B-50643._.docx
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- Solicitation number
- 26-494DOT-FINAD-B-50643
- Issued by
- Illinois
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Materials Small Bed Compression Machine rebid (26-494DOT-FINAD-B-50643). The procurement seeks a universal testing machine primarily designed for compression and deflection testing of plastic pipe, with secondary capabilities for tensile testing and extensometry. The machine must accommodate 4 to 10-inch diameter plastic pipes (HDPE and PVC) for testing in accordance with ASTM D2412, with force requirements ranging from 100 to 20,000 pounds of load capacity. Key specifications include a maximum test speed of 500 millimeters per minute, a safety enclosure to protect against pipe shrapnel during deflection testing, rectangular compression platens sufficient for parallel plate loading, and the ability to perform tensile testing on thin plastics, elastomers, and geotextiles with specimen gauge lengths varying from 1 to 8 inches. The system must be delivered and installed at 2420 South Dirksen Parkway in Springfield, Illinois, as soon as possible, with installation, training, and ISO 17025 calibration with calibration certificates included. A standalone computer and printer must be provided with the system if required for operation.
The machine must operate on a 220-volt, 40-ampere, three-phase power supply, which the contracting agency has confirmed is acceptable at the installation site. Tensile testing capabilities are secondary to the primary compression and deflection testing requirements, with typical tensile loads ranging from 100 to 5,000 pounds and elongation capabilities exceeding 500 percent for some elastomers and plastics. The document clarifies that an extensometer is not a requirement for the base bid. Bidders should reference ASTM standards M252, D3034, D2412, D695, and D412 in their proposals, with particular emphasis on ASTM D2412 for pipe deflection testing specifications.
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Questions and Answers Materials Small Bed Compression Machine – REBID
26-494DOT-FINAD-B-50643
Q: The minimum load is listed at 100 kN - could you please confirm the maximum compression requirement?
A: Max load is approximately 20,000 lb capacity Q: What are the maximum tensile load requirements? Additionally, what materials will be tested in tension, and what are the thickness ranges?
A: Tensile ranges would be less than 5,000 lbs.
For the extensometer: All questions pertaining to tensile and extensometers: standard options would be fine. This is primarily for compression and deflection testing.
Q: What travel is required - does the 200 mm represent total elongation?
A: Extensometer should be capable of reaching 1000% elongation.
Q: What is the specimen gauge length?
A: specimen gauge lengths vary from 1 inch-8 inches.
Q: What materials will be tested with the extensometer?
A: Thin plastic sheeting and elastomers, geo textiles Q: Is there an applicable ASTM (or other) standard we should reference?
A: ASTM M252, ASTM D3034, AWWA c905-906.
Q: It looks like you require that the test system is provided with a computer if it requires a computer to operate. Is that correct? [i.e. IDOT will not use/furnish one of their own computers to operate the test system software].
A: Correct, we would need a stand alone printer provided if machines requires a PC.
Q: It looks like the test system must include a safety enclosure. Is that correct?
A: Yes, safety enclosure option is necessary due to pipe shrapnel during deflection testing.
For the Compression Platens:
Q: Is there a certain compression platen size that is desired?
A: Compression plates should be sufficient size to accommodate 4-10 inch pipe for deflection testing in accordance with ASTM D 2412 Q: If not, what is the maximum pipe length and diameter that might be tested in compression?
A: For this machine typically 10–12-inch diameter pipe is testing and lengths are approx 1 ft For the Tensile Grips: All these questions below and be standard options if supplying UTM machine and would only be backup equipment. We could do without if need be.
Q: What materials are being tested?
A: Thin plastic sheeting, elastomers, Teflon and other plastics Q: What specimen sizes & shapes will be used? (ASTM/ISO specimen type, or overall dimensions)?
A: I believe in accordance with ASTM d 412, for die type c reference. We use small, reduced area dumbbell samples, or small strips.
Q: What is the range of specimen thicknesses and/or diameters that will be tested?
A: 1 inch and below.
Q: What range of forces (minimum to maximum) are expected for tensile testing?
A: Min 100lbs- max 20,000 lbs.
Q: What range of elongations (minimum to maximum) are expected for tensile testing?
For the Long Travel Extensometer:
Q: Can you confirm the materials and specimen sizes this device would be used with?
A: Thin plastic sheeting and elastomers, geo textiles Q: What range of gauge lengths will be used?
A: specimen gauge lengths vary from 1 inch-8 inches.
Q: What is the overall travel range required of this device?
A: Extensometer should be capable of reaching 1000% elongation.
Q: Does this project require on-site services for installation, training, and ISO 17025 Calibration with calibration certificates? The specification is unclear on this, as it only mentions: " A properly calibrated universal testing machine…” A: Yes, installation and training would be required.
Q: Is there a minimum diameter for the compression plates –the spec says 10 inch pipe but will this test be to crush the specimen as it lays on its side or will it be standing on end?
A: We would expect the compression plates to be rectangular and sufficient size to accommodate deflection testing of plastic pipe in accordance with ASTM D2412, parallel plate loading. It would need to be able to test at least 4 inch pipe up to 10 inch pipe.
Q: What size of flat and vee wedges would be needed? This will be determined by the specimen thickness and diameters.
A: If supplying a UTM machine, standard grips will suffice, this machine will primarily be used for compression deflection testing of plastic pipe.
Q: I would need to know what the travel requirements are to offer an extensometer. MTS would only be able to quote an optical extensometer unless you could use a 100mm gage length.
A: There is not requirements for an extensometer so do not include on quote.
Q: What are the different materials you will be testing?
A: Mainly, plastic pipes made of HDPE and PVC Q: How did you learn about Test Resources?
A: First time hearing of it now.
Q: What are the expected force ranges, both on the low end and high end, for ASTM D2412 testing of pipe?
A: Force ranges are expected to be from 100-10,000 lbs. plus. Ideally a machine capable of 20,000lbs would be what we are looking for.
Q: What is the range of diameters of pipe to be tested?
A: For this, which I believe is the smaller bed bid, we would test 4–10-inch pipe.
Q: What are the expected force ranges, both on the low end and high end, for ASTM D695 compression testing?
A: I don’t have numbers for this, but the machines capabilities should be sufficient if able to meet requirements for pipe testing.
Q: What are the sample dimensions?
A: Samples sizes are typically very small, 1inch cylinders for the above testing.
Q: What are the expected force ranges, both on the low end and high end, for tensile testing of flat and round samples?
A: Not really expecting to do much if any tensile testing but could be used as a backup system if machine is capable.
Q: What are the sample materials for tensile testing?
A: If done, would be thin plastics and elastomers.
Q: What are the shapes/dimensions of each tensile test sample?
A: Small, reduced area dumbbell specimens.
Q: What results or calculations do you need to collect from each tensile test?
A: Tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation.
Q: When and where do you need the system installed and operational?
A: ASAP and 2420 South Dirksen Parkway in Springfield IL Q: Our standard 100kN 314 Series system has a maximum speed of 300mm/min. Specifications mention 500mm/min. Will 300mm/min is that accepted?
A: We will need the machine to meet the 500mm/min requirements.
Q: Our 100kN 314 Series system runs on 230V 3 phase power, not 120V. Is that acceptable?
A: Power supply changing is not ideal and would have to have electricians run new wires.
Q: The specifications mention a 200mm gauge length extensometer. What is the maximum elongation % required for this extensometer?
A: Elongation readings can be well over 500% for some elastomers and plastics.
Q: We received an update from the manufacturer confirming that the testing machine requires a 220 V, 40 A, 3-phase power supply, and that this requirement cannot be modified. Before we proceed, could you please confirm if this power requirement is acceptable at the installation site?
A: Yes, that is acceptable
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